The compound helicopter - The rotorcraft for the 21st Century?

Although not a new concept, the compound helicopter has failed to capture the imagination to an extent that a commitment to deploy such a vehicle into service, be it military or civil, has to date been denied. This paper discusses how, with the limited evidence available, the Advanced Compound Helicopter described can offer cost effective superior performance compared to the conventional helicopter. Prior work carried out by Rolls-Royce plc and Westland Helicopters Limited of the UK is discussed in the context of choice of powerplant proposed tor a flight demonstrator vehicle based on the Westland Lynx helicopter incorporating, where advantageous, a conventional wing. Initial Operational Analysis and the integration of Infra-Red Suppression devices are discussed. The paper concludes with a synopsis of the next phase of activity planned in the UK, where the subjects of Life Cycle Cost, Noise and Operational Analysis will be assessed in more detail than hitherto in order to justify a commitment to the flight demonstrator phase.